Pope Francis’s inauguration

Pope Francis celebrated his inaugural Mass among political and religious leaders from around the world and amid a wave of hope for a renewal of the scandal-plagued Roman Catholic Church.

“We must not be afraid of goodness, of tenderness,’’ he said during the homily.

A man waved an Argentine flag in St. Peter’s Square. Pope Francis is an Argentine who is the son of Italian immigrants.

More than 500 members of the clergy distributed Holy Communion to the thousands of faithful who attended.

A priest delivered Communion to the faithful in St. Peter’s Square.

Priests distributed Communion under yellow umbrellas that shielded them from the sun.

Pope Francis blessed a chalice of wine during Communion. For practical purposes, only the host, not the wine, was distributed to attendees.

Pope Francis began the Mass in deep prayer.

During his homily, Pope Francis urged princes, presidents, sheikhs, and thousands of ordinary people gathered for his installation Mass to protect God’s creation, the weakest and the poorest of the world.

Pope Francis was helped down the stairs in front of St. Peter’s Basilica.

Throughout the Mass, he referred to himself as the bishop of Rome rather than the pope, perhaps as a sign of humility.

Pope Francis held up the holy Bible during his inauguration Mass, which fell on the Feast of St. Joseph.

During his homily, he asked, “How does Joseph exercise his role as protector? Discreetly, humbly and silently, but with an unfailing presence and utter fidelity, even when he finds it hard to understand.’’

Pope Francis prepared the altar for Mass in Saint Peter’s Square at the Vatican.

People listened to Pope Francis’s homily, which reminded people to take care and protect one another.

A faithful held a rosary while Pope Francis celebrated his inaugural Mass.

A nun gave a girl a rosary during Mass.

Thousands watched on a giant screen next to the Metropolitan Cathedral in Buenos Aires.

Cheers erupted among the faithful who watched Pope Francis’s installation on a big screen outside the Metropolitan Cathedral in Buenos Aires.

Argentine’s Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio was chosen as leader of the Catholic Church on March 13.

A faithful in Argentina held a banner that read in Spanish, “Francisco I, the dreamed pope, Love plus Love, Argentine 2013.”

Pope Francis has officially begun his ministry as the 266th pope, receiving the ring symbolizing the papacy and a wool stole symbolizing his role as shepherd of his 1.2-billion strong flock. Pictured: Pope Francis was bestowed the Fisherman’s Ring by Cardinal Angelo Sodano.

Pope Francis walked out from Saint Peter’s Basilica at the start of the Mass.

Pope Francis passed cardinals and dignitaries as he took part in his inaugural Mass.

Just the week before, more than 100 cardinals gathered inside the Sistine Chapel to pick a new pontiff and elected then-Cardinal Bergoglio.

A cardinal began the Mass saying, “The Good Shepherd charged Peter to feed his lambs and his sheep; today you succeed him as the bishop of this church.’’

Afterward, a half-dozen cardinals approached Pope Francis to vow their obedience.

Faithful filled St. Peter’s Square. Pope Francis urged people to stay home and spend their money to feed the poor rather than travel to attend the inauguration.

Priests joined in prayer.

Nuns and priests from around the world kneeled in prayer during Mass.

People in St. Peter Square watched a live televised broadcast showing Pope Francis celebrating his inaugural Mass.

According to the Vatican, six sovereign rulers, 31 heads of state, three princes and 11 heads of government attended.

US Vice President Joe Biden was among those who attended.

Italian President Giorgio Napolitano, bottom right, sat beside his wife, Clio, and Pietro Grasso, president of the Italian Senate.

Belgium’s King Albert II, Queen Paola, and Belgium’s Prime Minister Elio Di Rupo, top left, attended the Mass.

Pope Francis arrived in Saint Peter’s Square for his inaugural Mass at the Vatican on March 19.

Nuns greeted Pope Francis as he arrived.

Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe sat in St. Peter’s Square to attend Pope Francis’s inaugural Mass at the Vatican.

Dutch Prince Alexander, pictured second from left, his wife, Princess Maxima, left, Prince Felipe of Spain, right, and his wife, Princess Letizia, stood in St. Peter’s Square.

Argentina’s President Cristina Fernandez arrived to attend Pope Francis’s inaugural Mass.

A day before his installation, Pope Francis met privately with Fernández with whom he had clashed over social issues such as same-sex marriage and birth control.

People walked past a giant screen broadcasting the Mass in front of Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris.

Pope Francis passed an Argentine flag as he arrived in St. Peter’s Square.

Pope Francis waved to the crowd from the white, open-air Popemobile. Hundreds of thousands of faithful, as well as political and religious dignitaries from all over the world, attended the inauguration Mass.

Pope Francis kissed a handicapped person as he arrived in St. Peter’s Square.

Pope Francis kissed a child on his ride through St. Peter’s Square. He also stepped out of his vehicle to bless a disabled man.

Pope Francis reached out for a child in St. Peter’s Square.

Pope Francis arrived in St. Peter’s Square for his inaugural Mass amid a growing crowd.

Pope Francis thrilled tens of thousands of people gathered for his installation Mass, taking a long roundabout through St. Peter’s Square and getting out of his vehicle to bless a disabled man in a wheelchair in the crowd.

Pope Francis walked among the crowds which included nuns. Many in the crowds cried, “Viva il Papa’’ — “long live the pope.’’

Pope Francis gave the thumbs up to the crowd.

His inauguration kicks off one of the busiest times in the Catholic Church. The upcoming Sunday is Palm Sunday, which signals the beginning of Holy Week and the impending Easter celebrations.

Pope Francis waved to the crowd as he was driven through St. Peter’s Square.

A crowd gathered along Via della Conciliazione leading to St. Peter’s Square to attend the Mass.

Last preparations were set for Pope Francis’s inauguration Mass in St. Peter’s Square.

Pope Francis sat in a special chair outside among the crowd where he led Mass.

Ceremonial chalices containing hosts awaited the inaugural Mass for Pope Francis.

A banner with the image of Pope Francis was displayed in St. Peter’s Square before Mass.

Swiss Guards wait ed for the inaugural Mass of Pope Francis to start in front of St. Peter’s Basilica.